How to plan the perfect destination wedding on a budget

Not quite as contradictory as it sounds

We get it. At first glance, the words ‘budget’ and ‘destination wedding’ might not go together as well as wine and cheese, but that doesn’t mean they can’t ever co-exist. If Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s dreamy nuptials in Florence have been fuelling your personal wedding moodboard, go ahead and dream big—but do it with a firm grasp on reality. To help you get to your happily ever after effectively, without the deep pockets of a benevolent fairy godmother, we’ve jotted down everything that needs to be on your priority list.

Decide on the type of wedding you want

Regardless of the visual that the term ‘budget’ instantly conjures, you needn’t exchange the fairytale you’ve always envisaged with a dreary march to the wedding chapel and back quite just yet. With a bit of foresight and some nifty planning, you can have the wedding you’ve always wanted on a shoestring budget—as long as you and your partner are on the same page about what you want. A destination wedding might inspire you to opt for an intimate affair with your closest friends and family, but it pays to take a call beforehand about what you and your partner would like for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion—whether it’s an outdoorsy affair in the mountains or one that is set against the stunning panorama of a beach sunset.

Decide on a budget, and make it ironclad

Yes, a budget wedding might seem self-explanatory, but you still want to sit down and put a figure to it, instead of just hoping to go with whatever involves the least amount of expenditure. By listing down the actual amount that you are willing to spend on the different overheads (food, invites, decor), you will be able to better plan the areas that you can cut back on, and decide upon what calls for a little indulgence. For instance, by dialling down the scale of the table decor at the wedding reception, you might be able to hire that ace photographer you’ve always wanted to capture all the happy memories for posterity in your wedding album.

Write down the guest list

Needless to say, a destination wedding cannot involve the whole world and its cousin. It might be hard to trim down the list of acquaintances and friends in your extended social circle, but the process can be made easier by factoring in who might realistically be able to attend. As you tread on diplomatic waters, it is time to take a call about who you’d absolutely love to have with you on your big day. Instead of trying to keep everyone happy, focus on the faces you’d like to look out to in the crowd during the biggest moment of your life.

Invites are key

Now that you’ve finalised the guest list, it is time to get down to the task of putting together a final headcount on how many people will definitely attend, so that you can accordingly negotiate airfare and accommodation. Even if you haven’t locked in on the final venue yet, send out save the dates, so that your guests can plan in advance. Once you find the dream location for your wedding, coordinate your invite with the location you’ve picked to serve up an effective teaser of what’s to come.

Don’t compromise on the venue

Again, it might seem tempting to slide the bar towards ‘lowest to highest’, but you’re also going to want to stay true to the joint vision of your ideal wedding that you started out with. Love that beach resort, but had a premature cardiac arrest after looking at the tariffs? Play it smart, and wait until the peak season has ebbed for a better rate that will suit your pocket. You can offset the expenses by planning a honeymoon on a smaller scale in the same country, to save yourself the cost of international travel all over again too.

Plan early

The early bird may or may not get the worm, but he does get the best airfare and associated collaterals. While it is true that Indians are probably born with an inner compass that points them directly to the best bargains, by planning well in advance, you will be able to pick the destination that you like, rather than shelving your dream wedding projections for whatever is available in a time crunch. Also, bulk rates for large groups travelling together are your friend, so once you have guest list nailed down, you will be able to accordingly work your way through the logistics without pulling your hair out.

Think local

The whole point of having your wedding in an exotic destination is to break away from the monotony of the everyday. Honour the location you have picked by dousing your nuptials with the ambience of the local culture. Take cues from your destination for the giveaways—a tropical goodie bag serves as an easy way to allow your guests to carry back a souvenir from a beach wedding in Bali. Likewise, for the food menu, look to regional staples and dishes that are authentic to the local cuisine, to effectively introduce your guests to the culinary heritage of the destination you’ve picked.